Monaco Facts.

The place where the rich and famous converge for their vacations, Monaco, is an ideal place to put your feet up under the sun in a magnificent beach resort. This small independent state unifies the flavors and lifestyles of the French and Mediterranean that resulted in a beautiful canvass of the country. With sunny weather all-year round, enjoy sunbathing on white sand beaches and riding on luxurious yachts. Extravagance personified, Monaco has destinations like Monte Carlo and with holidays for the Monaco Grand Prix. Other sectors in Monaco also feature historical architectures like palaces, museums, and churches. Best of all, rediscover the ocean in its entire glorious splendor through diving, deep-sea watching and boat tours.

Important and Interesting Facts About Monaco

The Principality of Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. The smallest is Vatican City. Monaco’s total area is only 2 square kilometres (1.24 square miles). Monaco is bordered by France on the North, South and West with the Mediterranean Sea to its East.

Monaco is famous for its casino in Monte Carlo. However, residents of Monaco are not allowed to gamble or even enter the casino! James Bond is a particular fan of the casino, having visited it in Never Say Never Again, GoldenEye and Casino Royale.

Monaco is the third most expensive real estate in the world.

Monaco has the largest police force in the world.

Monaco is located in Europe and is bordered by France.

Monaco,a small country nestled between Alps mountainside and Mediterranean Sea, is a major tourist destination.

Monaco enjoys a mild, pleasant Mediterranean climate, averaging about 300 days of sunshine a year.

The most famous Prince’s Palace is the private residence of the ruling Prince but the State Apartments are open for public visits part of the year.The original fortress and ramparts were built by the Genoese in 1215 and throughout the centuries was transformed into one of the most luxurious residences in the style of Louis XIV. Prince Rainier III was credited to restore the Palace to its former glory and the magnificent state in which it can be seen today.

Monaco (Monaco-Ville), the old city on a rocky promontory extending into the Mediterranean, known as the Rock of Monaco, or simply Le Rocher (the Rock), where the palace is located.

Oceanographic Museum, formerly directed by Jacques Cousteau, is one of the most renowned institutions of its kind in the world.

The Jardin Exotique de Monaco is a botanical garden located on a cliffside in Monaco.

Cool, Fun, and Funny Facts About Monaco

Monaco has the world’s highest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita.

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous races in the world. Drivers take to the streets of Monaco, tackling its tight corners, narrow streets and famous tunnel. Ayrton Senna holds the record for the most wins on the track, coming first 6 times. The constructor with the most wins is Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

People native to Monaco are called Monegasque. A person born in a foreign country but resident in Monaco is a Monacoian. Monaco is unusual because the native Monegasques people are actually in the minority in the country, making up less than a fifth of Monaco’s population.

Monaco’s biggest football team is AS Monaco which plays in the top league of French football, Ligue 1. Over half of the country’s population is able to fit into the team’s stadium, Stade Louis II.

Monaco’s flag is the same as the flag of Indonesia. The only difference is that the Indonesian flag is wider.

Known as Europe’s tax haven, each and every individual citizens of Monaco enjoys a tax-free lifestyle since the 1870s. For decades, Monaco lived off solely on its casinos. At present, Monaco’s current efforts to diversify its economy have made tourism its number one source of income and casino profits only at five percent.

You may take the train, your helicopter or your yacht (if you have one) if you want to go to Monaco but please, no private jets (if you have one as well.) There are no airports in Monaco. Don’t have enough change to ride the train? Cote d’Azur Airport in Nice, France is just a 30-minute ride to Monaco’s capital.

During weekdays, there’s only an interval of 20 minutes per helicopter flight in Monaco’s heliport. This just shows how busy the economy of Monaco is.

It’s suitable to visit Monaco anytime of the year. There’s an event going on every month. From glamorous balls (The Princess of Hanover’s Rose Ball in March); exclusive outdoor concerts by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (Concert at the Prince’s Palace in July); to sporting events such as Tennis Masters Series (April), the celebrated Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix (May), and International Marathon (November).

Monaco is one of the safest countries in the world.

An average person can walk across the width of the country in 56 minutes.

Historical and Cultural Facts About Monaco

Monaco gained its independence from the Republic of Genoa on 8th January 1297.

In 1956, glamorous American actress Grace Kelly married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, thus becoming Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, or Princess Grace for short.

On the birth of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace’s first child, a national holiday was declared, the people of the principality were treated to free champagne and gambling stopped for a day in the casino. Their second child, Albert II, is now ruler of Monaco.

The sole university is called the International University of Monaco. It is a business school, and all the classes are taught in English. IUM was founded in 1986.

The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco for more than 600 years since 1297 before Monaco officially became a sovereign state. The royal family name comes from its Genoese founder, Grimaldo.

Archeological evidence has shown that Monaco has been inhabited for 300,000 years.

Monte Carlo is widely known for its casino. It had gaming tables as early as 1856.

Traditional ceremonies and rituals are found to be observed in the church during special occasions like Feast Days.

Marriage is considered to be an important part of the Monaco culture and is held on basis of the traditions of Roman Catholics.

Some of the festivals that are observed in Monaco include Easter, Feast Days of Saint Roman, Saint John and Saint Blaise. Besides, every year in January the people in Monaco hold a ritual. This ritual is marked by torchlight processions and other religious ceremonies. This day is believed to mark the occasion of Saint Devote’s arrival to Monaco.

Some of the popular foods of Monaco are barbagiuan, fougasse, socca and stocafi, they are specially served during the festive season.